Gingerbread House Winners Announced
Event Raises Funds for the Red Cross, 220 lbs of Food for Bellingham Food Bank

[Bellingham, Wash.] The Holiday Port Festival's Gingerbread House Contest received 80 entries this year that demonstrated the creativity and imagination of local Bellingham and Whatcom County residents. The recent fire at Whatcom Middle School has been on the minds of many, and four Whatcom Middle Schools were created in gingerbread this year. One of those entries, "Too Hot to Handle" by the Behees, won first place in the family category. Other entries in the 14th annual contest included a yellow submarine, a pirate ship, two tug boats and the Whatcom Museum.

Gingerbread House Contest entries were judged based on creativity, edibleness of materials used, originality and detail and design. The "People's Choice Award" this year went to Stephanie Campbell for "Up and Away," an edible creation based on the movie "Up." This award is chosen by event visitors who voted for their favorite gingerbread creation during the festival. The People's Choice winner received a trip for two donated by Victoria San Juan Cruises. First place in each category also received a prize. This year's prizes were donated by: Brenthaven, ASP POP Music, Sorellas on the Bay, Mallards Ice Cream, the Bagelry, Victoria San Juan Cruises and Glassworks Northwest.

Most of the gingerbread entries were donated to a silent auction which raised more than $1,400 for the Mount Baker Chapter of the American Red Cross. In addition, Red Cross volunteers received almost $800 in direct donations at the refreshment table they staffed during the three-day festival. Event patrons also donated more than 200 lbs of food for the Bellingham Food Bank as part of the festival's second annual food drive.

14th Annual Gingerbread House Contest Winners

People's Choice Award: "Up and Away" by Stephanie Campbell

Family
1st "Too Hot to Handle" by The Behee Family
2nd "Tugboat" by Greg Marsh
3rd "Yellow Submarine" by The Sheinkopfs
3rd "Strawbale" by The Stone Family

Professional
1st "Up and Away" by Stephanie Campbell
2nd "Grab a Bag O' Christmas" by Aurea D Aquino and Rebekah Hall

Youth 5 and Under
1st I Think I Can I Think I Can" by Geneva Garden Learning Center
2nd "Untitled" by Audrey Haley
3rd "Merry Christmas from Bikini Bottom" by Samuel Dollack

Youth Grades K-3
1st "Camp Candy" by Brownies Troop 52117
2nd "Peter Can Fly!" by Whatcom Day Academy
3rd "The Christmas Cabin" by Gracie & Lowen Henoch and Brooke Stavig
3rd "House Created by Birchwood Students" by Ms. Hatch's 2nd Grade Class

Youth Grades 4-8
1st "The Perfect Vacation" by Liliana Gilster
2nd "Snowball Fun" by Girl Scout Troop 8
3rd "Untitled" by Owen & Griffen
3rd "Christmas Stable" by Hope Frock

Youth Grades 9-12
1st "Skyscraper at Times Square" by Rachel Roberts & Monique Merrill
2nd "Untitled" by Kourtney Cadle

Individual/Adult
1st "Brookside Cottage" by Jim Hildenbrand
2nd "Peef the Christmas Bear" by Vonnie Chantrill
3rd "Rainbow Bridge" by Jeff Aspnes

Senior Citizens
1st "Good King Wenceslas" by Llew Hollingsworth
2nd "A Christmas Cottage" by Highland Care Center Residents

Business/Non-Profit
1st "The American Dream" by Connect Realty
2nd "St. Francis Express" by St. Francis Intergenerational Program
3rd "Nutcracker's Cabin" by Cecily Tilley

Holiday Port is a free, family-friendly event held on the first weekend in December every year. The event features music, dancing and performances by local bands, dance groups and choirs, free fire truck rides, Santa, a gingerbread house display, children's art activities and much more. The event is presented by the Port of Bellingham, and proudly supported by BP Cherry Point, Rainier Petroleum, Applied Digital Imaging, Bellewood Acres, Costco and Passion Audio.